Komikero: Dragon Knight Skills Configuration

Hello! Gerry Alanguilan here again, rambling about my Dragon Knight.

Two new skills have been added with Release 046, in addition to to new skills added with Release 045. I think the two new skills are tremendous but it left a few players are asking, "how am I going to fit all those skills in the hotkeys/tabs?"

That's a legitimate question, because as it is, there are more skills than there are hotkeys. The hotkeys, as I like to call them, are the row of buttons between the two globes at the bottom of the playing screen. The hotkeys are divided into two sections. The left section has 6 hotkeys, while the right section has 3 hotkeys.

The right section represents the attacks that are activated by your mouse. The first key represents your left mouse button, which is your primary attack key. In that key, I placed "Angry Strike", which is probably the only skill I can place there because it's the only attack strike that you can use right away without building up "Rage". In this game, "Rage" is generated by using the "Angry Strike" continuously, and as your rage rises, you can see just  how much in the beige globe on the left. When you have enough "Rage", it is only then other skills can become usable.

In the second and third key I placed "Mighty Swing" and "Mighty Wild Swing". The second key is the skill that's activated when you use your right mouse button. Key 2 and Key 3 can be interchanged by clicking "Tab".

Before Release046, I would generate "Rage" by using "Angry Strike" continuously. When my rage level is at maximum, I would then press Button #5 (on the keyboard) to activate "Scream of Rage". This would increase the damage I can give as well as give me speed. I would then use up the rage by using a combination of the "Mighty Swing" and "Mighty Wild Swing".

With Release046, I replaced "Mighty Swing" with "Smash". I did this because "Smash" can be used continuously as long as you have rage. Unlike most other skills, "Smash" doesn't need a cool down period to be used again. You can use it again and again in quick succession.

Not only that, "Smash" brings 200% weapon damage, which is insanely powerful. I love using it because it really kicks those monsters asses. Awesome sound effects too.

Which brings me to the left set of hotkeys. I already mentioned Button #5. I will now talk about the rest. The left set of hotkeys represents a bunch of other skills that the Dragon Knight possesses. They can be activated by the number keys on your keyboard from #1 to #6.

Button #1: Not really a skill but a shortcut for health potions. This assignment is indispensable because I absolutely need a shortcut for health potions which would allow me to quickly regain health when I'm dangerously close to dying. With the increase in the number of skills, it might be wise of the developers assign a different key on the keyboard to activate health potions (probably "H"?) so that this button can also be used for skills. Now I don't know if there is actually a health potion shortcut somewhere on the keyboard. Let me know if there is.

Button #2: Paralyzing Onslaught.

Button #3: Furious Battle Cry. Before Release 046, this button was assigned the "Furious Battle Cry". This is a skill that instantly increases your rage, allowing you to use other skills right away without engaging in battle first. It's useful, but it's a skill I never really used much anyway and I thought I could do away with it by replacing it with the new skill "Rage Jump". Like "Furious Battle Cry", "Rage Jump" can be used right away without needing to generate rage.I like using "Rage Jump" to either jump into battle or escape from it (to regenerate health).

Button #4: Iron Brow.

Button #6: Ground Breaker.

I use Buttons #2, #4 and #6 in one after the other to keep monsters almost perpetually stunned. That allows me to take down the more difficult monsters much quicker, and much easier than before.

One trick I really like to use now is clicking "Iron Brow" and then using "Smash". "Iron Brow" both stuns and lowers the armor of monsters. This makes "Smash" even more powerful when it brings in 200% weapon damage. Big monsters fall like ten pins.

And that's how my Dragon Knight skills configuration stands as it is now. And it's awesome!

Battle Strategy: Dragon Knight Battle Tips

Click to enlarge.

As a fledgling Dragon Knight, my battle style all but consisted of hitting the monster until it dies…or I do, whichever comes first.

Having reached Level 30 recently, I’m happy to say that I’ve developed five battle strategies that I use regularly. These techniques are the result of many hours of battling it out with hordes of undead ghouls, vile creatures, and other assorted monsters.

A disclaimer however: I use a hammer (and thus no shield) that dishes out high damage but is a bit on the slow side in terms of attack speed. I’m partial to these kinds of weapons so I haven’t had much experience trying out these techniques using sword and shield. You guys out there who use the sword and shield combo might have varying results and thus might have need to modify the techniques for your own specific situation.

With that said, following are the five most often used techniques in my bag of tricks.

Melee Attack 1
This technique is the one I use when dealing with monsters whose numbers I consider manageable (around 4-6 monsters for level 20-25 Dragon Knights or 6-8 monsters for level 25-30 Dragon Knights) and cannot inflict a high level of damage to my character.

Click thumbnail for a larger image.

I start off with 2 Angry Strikes to generate the needed amount of Rage to launch into a Paralyzing Onslaught attack. After stunning the enemy (remember: they only stay stunned for 2-3 seconds) I deal out another two Angry Strikes and finish it off with a Mighty Swing (depending on your level, weapons, and your items' properties you may need to do another 1-2 Angry Strikes to finish the monster off).

Melee Attack 2
I use this technique when there's a sort of urgency involved in a battle (either when there's more monsters coming and I need to dispatch the first wave quickly or to prevent the enemy from building up steam and using a devastating attack).

Click thumbnail for a larger image.

Instead of starting off with 2 Angry Strikes, I start off with a Furious Battle Cry to generate the needed Rage to use the Paralyzing Onslaught. After stunning the enemy, I use 2 Angry Strikes to generate more Rage then use a Mighty Swing and then another Angry Strike (in the event that the monster is still standing).

Shock and Awe 1
This technique is pretty fun to use and is quite nifty in rescuing on of your party who has gone off without the rest of the group and gotten himself stuck in the middle of a horde of monsters.

Click thumbnail for a larger image.

Start off from the edge of the horde and generate the needed amount of Rage by using the Angry Strike (Required: 20 Rage) as many as necessary to use the Paralyzing Onslaught and the Mighty Wild Swing (Required: 60 Rage) or Bloody Swing (Required: 30 Rage). If the situation is dire you may need to throw in a Furious Battle Cry to generate the necessary Rage faster.

Once the needed amount of Rage is available, launch into a Paralyzing Onslaught into the middle of the horde (preferably, the monster nearest your team member in trouble and stunning all opponents in between) and then unleashing a Mighty Wild Swing or a Bloody Swing.

Depending on your level and the monsters your fighting, this move might not be enough to kill all of the creatures you're fighting but it just might give you and your trouble team mate a fighting chance (at least until the other members of your party can execute a more coordinated rescue).

Shock and Awe 2 
This is a good technique to use when surrounded with low level monsters and one (1) mid to high level monster capable of inflicting some serious damage.

Click thumbnail for a larger image.

At this point I'm assuming you've already built up your Rage points to the necessary level to execute a Scream of Rage (Required: 60 Rage). In case you've forgotten, Scream of Rage allows a Dragon Knight to enter in to the frenzy of battle for 6.0 seconds. At this time use their skills and basic damage is improved depending on the level. Dragon Knights' attack and travel speeds are also increased by 35%.

Once you've done a Scream of Rage, let loose a Might Wild Swing or Bloody Swing to dispatch the low level monsters then use up you remaining Rage to take advantage of your faster attack speed and let loose a barrage of Might Swings at the top dog in the horde. Hopefully it will be enough to take it down but in the event that it's not, there's an escape option available.

Click thumbnail for a larger image.

After you've used up your Rage, do a couple of Angry Strikes to build up Rage and use the Paralyzing Onslaught to high tail it out of the horde of monsters which I assume will have you boxed in and trapped by this time.

Make sure to aim for the monsters at the edge of the horde otherwise you're not going to get far and remain trapped until the skill cycles up and you can use it again (but chances are you'll be dead by this time).

Last Stand
Compared to the other techniques, the Last Stand is pretty straightforward. I use it most frequently when faced with a monster who is seriously hurting me, escape is not an option, and my hit points are dwindling fast.

Click thumbnail for a larger image.

 Assuming your Rage points are at the required level, use the Scream of Rage (Required: 60 Rage) and then just go to town on your opponent with a barrage of Mighty Swings. You're either going to 1) die (most realistic), 2) deliver enough damage for one of your party to finish the monster off, or 3) actually kill it (it can happen).

I use a combination of these in succession just to mix it up a bit.

If you guys have your own special moves, I'd love to hear about it if you care to share.

Battle Strategy: The Paralyzing Onslaught

I don’t see the Paralyzing Onslaught used often enough by other Dragon Knights which is a shame because it is one of the most useful skills in the Knight’s bag of tricks especially when you’re going adventuring solo.

I employ the Paralyzing Onslaught for the following purposes:

Escaping a horde of Monsters that’s trapped you

Click to enlarge.

I’ve lost count of the times this scenario has happened to me, being prone to rushing into battle only to realize too late that I am vastly outnumbered. The sensible thing to do when this happens is to beat a hasty retreat but sometimes this is not possible either because:

1. Too many enemies surround you, blocking all escape routes
2. Enemies and your surroundings prevent your escape (I call this the “stuck between a rock and a hard place scenario”)

For Dragon Knights, the Paralyzing Onslaught can be used as a means of quick escape but it must be done correctly or you’re going to find yourself back where you launched.

The Paralyzing Onslaught only requires 20 Rage points for use. Starting dry, you can reach the required amount of Rage with two Angry Strikes on the nearest enemies. With so many enemies taking a stab at you however, you’re probably going to reach the required amount just by standing there since a small amount of Rage is generated with any attack against your character but I wouldn't recommend it (who wants to stand there doing nothing while taking a pounding?).

Click to enlarge.

Once the proper amount of Rage is reached pick the enemy farthest from the ring of marauders attacking you, preferably with lots of space to run around in. All the enemies between your launch off point to your landing point will be stunned for 2-3 seconds lessening the numbers of those who will be going after you.

A word of advice though: don’t panic and just launch into the Paralyzing Onslaught because chances are you’re not going to get far and you’re going to find yourself pretty much where you were with your hit points dwindling while waiting for the skill to recharge. Chances are you’re probably going to be dead before you can use the Paralyzing Onslaught again.

Don’t launch-off half-cocked. Take a second to figure out where you’re going to be headed after you land to regroup.

Fighting a number of 2-3 Tough Opponents all at once (or facing down the Boss)

Click to enlarge.

There are occasions that you’re going to have to fight 2-3 (even 4) tough opponents and retreat is not an option (I haven’t participated in a PVP battle so I’m not sure how useful it is against other players). Simple math will tell you that just standing there exchanging blows with monsters that can dish out high amounts of damage is not the wise thing to do even with potions thrown into the mix.

Sun Tzu, author of the classic The Art of War, said that mobility is key and that has never been more true here. Using the Paralyzing Onslaught, employ a hit and run tactic. Tear at your enemies’ hit points bit by bit and eventually they will drop dead. It will take some time especially for opponents that have high hit points but it is the most effective method of dispatching them without taking a lot of damage yourself.

The way to do it is to raise your Rage to the required level to be able to use the Paralyzing Onslaught skill (either by doing 1-2 Angry Strikes or using the Furious Battle Cry). Get your opponents to chase you until they line up then use the Onslaught hitting all your opponents (really useful when faced with 2-3 monsters but a bit more challenging with 4). After landing, use a couple of Angry Strikes at the enemy nearest you to make sure you maintain the required level of Rage then high tail it out of there. Two’s the optimum number of strikes you can land before you need to run and avoid retaliation (victims of the Paralyzing Onslaught will only stay stunned for about 2-3 seconds). More than that and you’re sure to receive damage when the uglies come to.

While waiting for the skill to recharge you basically execute evasive manoeuvres as your opponents chase you (make sure to set them up for the next attack). Once the skill is ready execute like before and repeat as necessary.

The tactic is basically the same for Bosses except for the really nasty ones.

How about you guys? Got any tactic you’d care to share?

Dragon Knights

Click to enlarge.

I like close quarter combat, where you get all up close and personal with your opponents…as far as RPGs and gaming is concerned, of course (if the fighting was real life, give me a semi-automatic hand gun any day). That’s why I favor warrior type characters and, in the world of Drakensang, that character is the Dragon Knight.

Dragon Knights was once known as the fighting elite of the empire before its fall. Now that the ancient enemy has returned, the Order of the Dragon Knights has been mobilized for battle and pushed to rise to the challenge.

“Skilled in many weapons and trained under the toughest conditions, Dragon Knights are powerful and courageous masters in combat, who fearlessly charge into battle even when they’re significantly outnumbered. All recruits who survive the grueling initiation into the Order of Dragon Knights partake in a final blood-oath ceremony during which they must drink the blood of the dragon. Imbued with magical powers passed down through the ages, this blood grants these furious warriors unbelievable strength, perseverance, and the power to use the Order’s legendary combat secrets on the battlefield.”

As a Dragon Knight you will unlock these skills as you level up:

Angry Strike

Angrily Strike an enemy and cause 75% of your basic damage as physical damage. Let anger build which the Dragon Knight needs to use other skills.

Generated: 10 Rage (this basically means that every time you use the Angry Strike you generate 10 Rage points which you can use to power your other skills depending on their own Rage requirement).

Ammo Use: 1

Mighty Swing

Crush your enemies with a Mighty Swing which inflicts 50% of your basic damage as physical damage on all opponents directly in front of you.

Cost: 20 Rage
Ammo Use: 3

Bloody Wild Swing

Wound all enemies around you with a massive wild swing, which causes 75% of your basic damage as physical damage. Hit enemies bleed for 5 seconds (PVP: 3 seconds), thereby reducing their attack speed by 20% and their travel speed by 40%. They also suffer 10 % of your basic damage as physical damage per second.

Cost: 30 Rage
Ammo Use: 3

Furious Battle Cry

Let out a battle cry, which instantly builds 45 Rage, strengthens your armor for 15 seconds depending on your level, and increases your travel speed by 15%.

Generates: 45 Rage

Paralyzing Onslaught

Charge forth unstoppably and cause 45% of your basic damage as physical damage to all enemies in your way. Hit enemies are stunned for 3.5 seconds (PVP: 2.0 seconds).

Cost: 20 Rage
Ammo Use: 2

Scream of Rage

Enter in to the frenzy of battle for 6.0 seconds. At this time use your skills, not anger, and your basic damage is improved depending on your level. Your attack and travel speeds are also increased by 35%.

Cost: 60 Rage

Mighty Wild Swing

Crush all enemies around you with a Mighty Wild Swing, which causes 200% of your basic damage as physical damage.

Cost: 60 Rage
Ammo: 5

Aside from the Angry Strike, most of these skills need a certain amount of Rage and/or recharge time before they can be used again so it's a good idea to work out a system where you use certain skills in succession for certain scenarios and opponents (the alternative, of course is to stand there getting hacked to death while you wait for your favorite skill to become usable again). Your general fighting style will also depend if you're the hit-and-run or the stand-and-fight type of player.

I'll be discussing some of the strategies I employ with my own characters in future articles.